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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

We are in the process of bonding our Checkered Giant (Domino) & Flemish Giant (Chess), both are males. We have had their cages in close for a week now. Problem is we were giving them turns being out roaming, each on a different floor with gates blocking the stairs. We have had Domino for 6 months. He used to run out of his cage as soon as we opened the door. Now Domino does not want to get out if he sees Chess still in his cage. We have had 4 bonding sessions in the bathroom, that went fairly well, some nipping, some snorting, and one session we had to use the water bottle to spray. Since they are not ready to be out in shared teritory together yet, it is difficult to get them out for their individual exercise. Any ideas? (Also Chess is pretty skittish and not used to us yet so getting him in and out is an ordeal in itself).

MonkeybunHillsboro, Oregon

10511 posts

1/25/2012 10:51 AM

Are they both neutered?

You need to keep up with small sessions in the bathroom, or even a car ride. They help Every day, so you can wear them down.

ElrohwenHudson Valley, NY

7322 posts

1/25/2012 11:18 AM

I don't have any brilliant suggestions to get them to come out and exercise - you'll just have to find a way to manage it until they are bonded. It'll just give you more motivation to work on it every day and get it done!

- Elrohwen

mlg4491

15 posts

1/25/2012 4:30 PM

I'm currently dealing with the same issue. My bunnies would rather taunt each other than get their exercise in during their out time, so I've been getting creative. Here are some things I've done:

Try a new game. Once you've got your bunny's attention, try a little game that you think your bunny might like. My rabbit loves to knock things over and generally cause havoc, so we have started to play a stack-and-topple game with toilet paper tubes. It's enough to get him in a playing mood, and he usually decides to go find something to do afterward.

How about a new and interesting toy? For mine, just some normal toy wasn't enough to get their interest. I discovered by accident that the new bunny loves to run through tunnels, so I built a long one against one wall just by leaning some cardboard on it. That got her moving! If you've got a climber, you can try building a "maze." I end up taking a few cardboard boxes, cutting out doors and windows, and stacking them for the exploring rabbit. They've got a pre-made thing like it in the store.

Do they have a favorite toy? As a final incentive to get my buns out and about, I only give them their treat ball during outside time. Often, I don't even fill it. They'll spend untold time rolling and tossing it, hoping for something to come out. Adding a little hay inside will make it harder for the treats to fall out without making too much of a mess, thus lessening the amount of treats you need. This one gets 'em every time.

Best of luck!

MonkeybunHillsboro, Oregon

10511 posts

1/25/2012 4:34 PM

Well, one way to get them out to exercise if they are too nervous upon seeing the other bun, is to block their sight of the other bun. Put a towel or blanket over a pen wall/baby gate whatever is blocking the other bun in. Out of sight, out of mind for some playful buns

HTWheather

4 posts

1/28/2012 6:26 PM

Yep, they both are.

HTWheather

4 posts

1/28/2012 6:50 PM

I figured it out! I put more barriers up around our new buns cage. So that when one is out they can still see each other but not inflict harm. The towel thing freaked both of them out. Since Domino is used to being out we have been letting him out first, he generally runs upstairs, then we put a gate up and let Chess out. So now they are both getting their time out. One problem with the bathtub and giant buns is that they can get out of a normal one. I think we are going to try my huge one - Lol

Chess is starting to come out of his shell, so to speak. He allows me to pet him and does mad racing around the house when he is out, yesterday he started eating from my hand. He and Domino are not taunting each other as much either. We are making progress. I have also discovered that Chess likes laundry baskets filled with clothes. He loves to jump in them and burrow. Domino does not seem to care for window & door boxes, but I have a feeling Chess might.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, especially putting a little bit of hay in the treat ball.

mlg4491

15 posts

1/30/2012 6:23 AM

That's great news! I'm glad things are going well for you and your buns! Giant buns can be such a problem, can't they? :-p

HTWheather

4 posts

1/31/2012 7:13 AM

Well I thought we were doing alright. But the last two times we have tried to bond them Domino nips Chess, he just keeps doing it, and it is hard to tell if he is progressing to biting but that is what it looks like. We have been switching their cages daily. That goes okay. Although Domino nipped me the other day when I was cleaning Chess' cage as if to say "do not invade his territory". I know Domino is the dominate one and so does Chess. I can't figure out why he keeps trying to establish that. I hate to stress them both out with a car ride because Chess it generally stressed anyway. Should I take a break from the bonding until Chess is more comfortable? And then try again? HELP!

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